Radiation and scattering performance of microstrip antennas using exotic substrates

The scattering and radiation properties are considered in microstrip antenna designs for airborne applications. The use of exotic substrates, instead of simple dielectric substrates, opens up a new dimension, making it much easier to meet both the radiation and scattering requirements. Two types of substrates, the ferromagnetic annd the anisotropic dielectric, are studied for their commercial availability. It was observed that the radiation mode and the scattering mode of the microstrip antenna are often distinctly different. Permittivity and permeability tensor of the substrate are selected to decouple the radiation and scattering modes to achieve simultaneously radiation and scattering performance goals. Analysis techniques used in the design study are discussed.